Agencies and Commissions 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Administrator has determined that renewal of the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid for a two-year period beginning January 15, 2009 is necessary and in the public interest.

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans prescribes interest assumptions for valuing and paying certain benefits under terminating single-employer plans. This final rule amends the benefit payments regulation to adopt interest assumptions for plans with valuation dates in January 2009. As discussed below, PBGC will publish a separate final rule document dealing with interest assumptions under its regulation on Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans for January 2009. Interest assumptions are also published on PBGC's Web site (https:// www.pbgc.gov).

The Board is publishing a final rule amending the staff commentary that interprets the requirements of Regulation C (Home Mortgage Disclosure). The staff commentary is amended to increase the asset-size exemption threshold for depository institutions based on the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. The adjustment from $37 million to $39 million reflects the increase of that index by 4.49% percent during the twelve-month period ending in November 2008. Thus, depository institutions with assets of $39 million or less as of December 31, 2008, are exempt from collecting data in 2009.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is amending its regulations to implement the Protocol Additional to the Agreement Between the United States of America and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States of America (Additional Protocol). The Additional Protocol requires the U.S. to report additional information on various nuclear fuel cycle- related activities and to provide the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with access to those locations beyond the information currently reported for nuclear facilities under the existing Agreement Between the United States of America and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States of America (Safeguards Agreement). The amended regulations codify the requirement for certain NRC and Agreement State licensees to report information and provide access under the Additional Protocol that are currently not subject to inspections or reporting under the Safeguards Agreement. These amendments enable the U.S. Government to meet its obligations related to the Safeguards Agreement and the Additional Protocol.

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice advises interested persons that the initial meeting of the WRC- 11 Advisory Committee will be held on January 13, 2009, at the Federal Communications Commission. The purpose of the meeting is to begin preparations for the 2011 World Radiocommunication Conference.

The OCC, the Board, the FDIC, and the OTS (collectively, the ``agencies'') are amending their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations to adjust the asset-size thresholds used to define ``small bank'' or ``small savings association'' and ``intermediate small bank'' or ``intermediate small savings association.'' As required by the CRA regulations, the adjustment to the threshold amount is based on the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.

The Commission is adding Express Mail and Priority Mail Contract 2 to the Competitive Product List. This action is consistent with changes in a recent law governing postal operations and a recent Postal Service request. Republication of the lists of market dominant and competitive products is also consistent with new requirements in the law.

This is an amendment of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Louisiana (FEMA-1792-DR), dated 09/13/ 2008. Incident: Hurricane Ike. Incident Period: 09/11/2008 through 11/07/2008. Effective Date: 12/15/2008. Physical Loan Application Deadline Date: 01/12/2009. EIDL Loan Application Deadline Date: 06/15/2009.

This bulletin cancels and replaces GSA Bulletin FPMR D-245, Protecting Federal Employees and the Public From Exposure to Tobacco Smoke in the Federal Workplace, which was published in the Federal Register on October 20, 1997 (62 FR 54461). This bulletin announces and provides details of a recent amendment to Federal Management Regulation, Part 102-74, Facility Management, revising the restrictions on the smoking of tobacco products in leased or owned space under the jurisdiction, custody or control of the Administrator of General Services. The revisions to the smoking policy also serve as a best practices model for other federal agencies.

The Federal Communications Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burden invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection(s), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) that does not display a valid control number. Comments are requested concerning (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announces a meeting of the Planetary Science Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). This Subcommittee reports to the Science Committee of the NAC. The Meeting will be held for the purpose of soliciting from the scientific community and other persons scientific and technical information relevant to program planning.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35), the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is forwarding two (2) Information Collection Requests (ICR) to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and approval by OIRA ensures that we impose appropriate paperwork burdens. The RRB invites comments on the proposed collections of information to determine (1) The practical utility of the collections; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden of the collections; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information that is the subject of collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of collections on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments to RRB or OIRA must contain the OMB control number of the ICR. For proper consideration of your comments, it is best if RRB and OIRA receive them within 30 days of publication date.

In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 which provides opportunity for public comment on new or revised data collections, the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will publish periodic summaries of proposed data collections. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information has practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB's estimate of the burden of the collection of the information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden related to the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Title and purpose of information collection: Request for Internet Services, OMB 3220-0198. The RRB uses a Personal Identification Number (PIN)/Password system that allows RRB customers to conduct business with the agency electronically. As part of the system, the RRB collects information needed to establish a unique PIN/Password that allows customer access to RRB Internet-based services. The information collected is matched against records of the railroad employee that are maintained by the RRB. If the information is verified, the request is approved and the RRB mails a Password Request Code (PRC) to the requestor. If the information provided cannot be verified, the requestor is advised to contact the nearest field office of the RRB to resolve the discrepancy. Once a PRC is obtained from the RRB, the requestor can apply for a PIN/ Password online. Once the PIN/Password has been established, the requestor has access to RRB Internet-based services. The RRB estimates that approximately 9,756 requests for PRC's and PIN/Passwords are received annually and that it takes 5 minutes per response to secure a PRC and 1.5 minutes to establish a PIN/Password. Completion is voluntary, however, the RRB will be unable to provide a PRC or allow a requestor to establish a PIN/Password (thereby denying system access), if the requests are not completed. The RRB proposes no changes to the PRC and PIN/Password screens. Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at (312) 751-3363 or send an E-mail request to Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.gov. Comments regarding the information collection should be sent to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 N. Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611-2092 or Ronald.Hodapp@RRB.GOV. Comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

The FDIC is amending our regulations to increase risk-based assessment rates effective for the first quarter 2009 assessment period. This is in accordance with the Restoration plan for the DIF published on October 16, 2008, in the Federal Register.